South Lake Tahoe Faces Potential $40 Million Liability

It was standing room only in council chambers as Mayor Tom Davis talked about new city vehicles, road improvements, affordable housing and spikes in tourism and sales taxes. For the first time in 5 years the budget is balanced, but Davis said medical costs have risen to $1,600 a month per employee.

He said that creates a potential $40 million unfunded liability. “Unfunded means we don’t have the money, clearly, so we have got to do something about it.”

The City faces has another problem. Former Mayor John Ceflau was in the audience. He pointed out that of $54 million of recent investments in South Lake Tahoe, all of the money came from governments.

“You are not getting any private investors coming in here, spending their money,” Ceflau says.

Fewer than 300 new business filed for licenses this year. To improve the climate for tourism and business, the City of South Lake, El Dorado and Douglass counties have met for the first time to discuss improving recreational opportunities.